# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S273
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 273

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.903 a
the-appeinted these members;
3.903 a |

Remains unchanged. Candidates for the CCM will still be
nominated in the same way. However, these candidates will be
nominated for election at the Synod convention and not for ap-
pointment by the Synod President;

3.903 a 2

The Council of Presidents shall elect five candidates for
each vacant position and present them through the office of the

Secretary of the Synod te-the-Rresident-ofthe-Syned no later
than four months prior to the convention of the Synod for place-

ment on a ballot, for election by the Synod in convention.
3.903 a3

The Synod in convention shall elect the members of the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters by simple majority vote.
3.903 b

Remains unchanged.

3.903 ¢

we, Vacancies shall be filled by fol

lowing Bylaw 3.63.

(Note: Bylaw 3.63 indicates that any vacancy on a synodi-
cally elected board or commission shail be filled by the Board of
Directors of the LCMS.)

and be it further

Resolved, That in accord with the proposed amendments listed
above Section “B. General Provisions for Officers, Boards, and
Commissions” be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.57 Commission Entities
The commissions of the Synod shall be elected or appointed
as follows:
a. Appointed by the President as prescribed:
5 .?, Constitutions}?

e A Commission on Doctrinal Review
* A Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support
© A Commission on Worship
b. Appointed by the Board of Directors as prescribed.
¢ A Commission on Structure
c. In part by election and in part by appointment, as pro-
vided in the Bylaws:
e A Commission on Theology and Church Relations
d. Elected by the Synod in convention:
e A Commission on Constitutional Matters

3.59 Term of Office

3.59 a

The term of office of all elected synodical officers shall be
three years; ef the members of all elected synodical boards and
elected synodical commissions six years.

3.59 b

The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Vice-Presi-
dent-Finance—Treasurer, and members of all elected boards
and all elected commissions shall assume office on Sept. | fol-
lowing their election;

and be it finally

Resolved, That this new procedure of electing the Commission
on Constitutional Matters begin with the 2007 Synod convention, at
which convention all five members of the CCM shail be elected as

follows (which includes a one-time exception to the 6-year term
for one clergy and one lawyer):

2 clergy for 6-year terms
1 clergy for 3-year term

1 lawyer for 6-year term
1 lawyer for 3-year term

and after the 2007 convention, all subsequent elections of Com-

mission on Constitutional Matters members shall be for 6-year
terms.

Trinity

Tyron, NC

7-68
To Affirm Selection, Nature, and Role of CCM

WHEREAS, The membership and function of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters is set forth in Bylaws 3.903 and 3.905; and

Whereas, God’s Word encourages that “everything should be
done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Cor. 14:40), instructs us not to
be a “meddler” (1 Peter 4:15), commands us to be “‘devoted to one
another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves”
(Rom. 12:10); and calls for us to “submit to one another out of rev-
erence for Christ” (Eph. 5:21); and

WHEREAS, The CCM today and throughout history has served
to eliminate confusion as well as the misuse, abuse, misrepresenta-
tion, misinterpretation, and misunderstanding of the Synod’s
covenant of love and collective will as set forth in the Constitution,
Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The binding nature instead of advisory nature of the
CCM’s opinions between conventions has served to hinder indi-
vidualism and unconstitutional actions as well as to maintain a rule
of law in submissive Christian love and to maintain accountability
on the part of ali officers, boards, commissions, and agencies to the
Synod in convention, instead of each assuming authority that has
not been conferred upon them but reserved by the Synod unto it-
self; and

WHEREAS, It has been proven that the current selection process
of the Commission’s members is the least political and encourages
the broadest participation by identifying highly skilled, qualified,
and experienced nominees; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirms the nature, role,
and function of the CCM as set forth in the current Bylaws; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Synod retain the current selection process
for selecting members of the CCM.

St. Luke; Dix Hills, NY; St. Peter, Brooklyn, NY; Board of
Directors, Texas District; Trinity, Portland, OR

7-69

To Affirm Selection and Role of CCM

WuereEAasS, The Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod stipulate the need and formation of a Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters (3.57 a); and

WHEREAS, The duties of the CCM are specified in Bylaw 3.905:

3.905 Functions
The commission shall

a. examine all reports and overtures to the Synod asking for
amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod or
which in any manner affect the Constitution and Bylaws, to de-
termine their agreement in content and language with the Con-
stitution and Bylaws of the Synod;

b. be represented at the meetings of the floor committees
considering constitutional matters at the convention of the
Synod;